Niko
Editor, Senior Moderator
Flu outbreak disrupts Central City school
Jan 22, 2007
By Robert Price An influenza outbreak in Central City has forced all schools to close, while hospitals and nursing homes are working to minimize the spread of the virus. The Central City Public School District cancelled all of Monday's classes and the elementary and middle schools will be closed until Thursday.
They have already begun some intense rounds of cleaning at the school.
The decision to cancel classes came after nearly 40 elementary students called in sick Friday.
That is more than 12?percent of the student population, and neither the school nor state health officials wanted this to escalate.
There were no classes Monday at any of the Central City Public schools.
Not after the worst influenza outbreak in recent memory.
?I have not dealt with something like this since I have been here,? said Superintendent Dr. Jeff West.
Of course they go through the normal flu season, but...
?It has not been something like this strain of influenza that hangs on and can be as serious as it is and that is why we are taking the precautions that we are,? West said.
In addition to keeping kids at home and away from school, the school is undergoing a thorough cleaning.
?Things such as the teacher's desks, student desks, handles, bathrooms, all these things where germs might stay,? said West.
The school is not the only one taking precautions.
The Central District Health Department is also working with nursing homes and hospitals.
Various signs around town explain the policy they arrived at.
?We have shut down our doors to any local traffic other than emergency care, encouraging everyone to stay away,? said Diane Schoch of Litzenberg Memorial Cty. Hospital.
If someone otherwise must enter the hospital, they are encouraged to wear masks.
They also make other recommendations.
?Good hand?washing, avoid any large group attendance, stay home if at all possible,? said Schoch.
As for the school, they will continue to track students' progress.
?We will be monitoring the situation as the older kids start to come back tomorrow,? said West.
Signs warning the public of the flu outbreak will remain posted throughout Central City until at least Thursday.
Also, the high school has a basketball game scheduled for Tuesday night.
They are asking for parents if at all possible to leave their younger?aged students at home to help contain the flu.
http://khastv.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=8224
Jan 22, 2007
By Robert Price An influenza outbreak in Central City has forced all schools to close, while hospitals and nursing homes are working to minimize the spread of the virus. The Central City Public School District cancelled all of Monday's classes and the elementary and middle schools will be closed until Thursday.
They have already begun some intense rounds of cleaning at the school.
The decision to cancel classes came after nearly 40 elementary students called in sick Friday.
That is more than 12?percent of the student population, and neither the school nor state health officials wanted this to escalate.
There were no classes Monday at any of the Central City Public schools.
Not after the worst influenza outbreak in recent memory.
?I have not dealt with something like this since I have been here,? said Superintendent Dr. Jeff West.
Of course they go through the normal flu season, but...
?It has not been something like this strain of influenza that hangs on and can be as serious as it is and that is why we are taking the precautions that we are,? West said.
In addition to keeping kids at home and away from school, the school is undergoing a thorough cleaning.
?Things such as the teacher's desks, student desks, handles, bathrooms, all these things where germs might stay,? said West.
The school is not the only one taking precautions.
The Central District Health Department is also working with nursing homes and hospitals.
Various signs around town explain the policy they arrived at.
?We have shut down our doors to any local traffic other than emergency care, encouraging everyone to stay away,? said Diane Schoch of Litzenberg Memorial Cty. Hospital.
If someone otherwise must enter the hospital, they are encouraged to wear masks.
They also make other recommendations.
?Good hand?washing, avoid any large group attendance, stay home if at all possible,? said Schoch.
As for the school, they will continue to track students' progress.
?We will be monitoring the situation as the older kids start to come back tomorrow,? said West.
Signs warning the public of the flu outbreak will remain posted throughout Central City until at least Thursday.
Also, the high school has a basketball game scheduled for Tuesday night.
They are asking for parents if at all possible to leave their younger?aged students at home to help contain the flu.
http://khastv.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=8224
